Chapter 376 - The Allocation of Things
In total, there were five hundred sixty-eight stone ova. Excluding the fifty that were sold to Shen Yuanbai as well as the ten that were freely given, there were five hundred and eight remaining. Among these five hundred and eight stone ova, there were seventy-eight dead ones. Thus, only four hundred thirty stone ova containing wondrous medicines were left.
At the same time, not every stone ovum among these four hundred thirty had unique wondrous medicines. After some partitioning, they obtained one hundred twenty-nine types of wondrous medicine.
From the region of the dragon’s head, the pair acquired thirty-six stone ova, and none of them were dead ones. Every single type was also different. Among these thirty-six stone ova, there was only one that had been formed with Gu Zuo and Gongyi Tianheng’s blood.
Once Gu Zuo took an inventory, these stone ova weren’t placed inside the public storehouse. Rather, they were carefully put in the storage space. Meanwhile, after those dead ova were cautiously examined by Gu Zuo, they were split open one at a time. Seventy-five were corrupted, and three contained wicked things. Under the preparations of two Ascendant Realm hound race battle slaves, they were destroyed the moment they emerged from the stone ova. Those wicked things didn’t have any time to strike back.
As for those corrupted stone ova, some didn’t possess the slightest bit of functionality, some had become poisonous, and others still had remnants of medicinal properties. Gu Zuo picked up these portions, and brought out their final bit of usefulness. He refined them into some trick pills or poison pills. There were also a few comparatively special medicinal pills available.
However, the amounts were quite small. After Gu Zuo studied these pills, he tossed them into the storage space where they became part of his secret stash of countless pills.
He would get back to them eventually.
Gu Zuo finished his inspection of all the stone ova and made a rough plan. What he did next was to release the Earth Worm corpses that had been placed inside the storage space.
In an instant, the corpses piled up into a small mountain next to the two people!
Gu Zuo turned his head to look, and gave a hollow laugh: “Ah, I didn’t think that there would be this many…”
During those days in the leyline, he hadn’t thought about it. Now that he took them out, he found that there were many more than he imagined.
Fortunately, there were only very small amounts of bodily fluids inside the Earth Worm corpses. And those bodily fluids also didn’t give off any unpleasant odors. Thus, even though “the skeletons of the dead formed a mountain”, the experience wasn’t too trying for people.
Tianheng raised a brow: “Does Ah Zuo already have a plan?”
Gu Zuo didn’t hide it, and immediately replied: “I think that the Earth Worms are unusual. They can only be harmed by psychic powers. No matter how powerful a martial artist is, one can only restrict the creatures, and doesn’t have the ability to kill them. As a result, I feel they can be studied more. I want to see whether their outer carapace, flesh, and bodily fluids can be refined into battle armor, martial clothing, and so on. These things ought to have very strong defensive capabilities, right? Perhaps, they might even have other uses…”
Speaking up to here, he was a little embarrassed: “Big brother, what do you think?”
Tianheng smiled: “What Ah Zuo says makes sense.” While he talked, he lightly pinched Gu Zuo’s cheek, “For those I’ve taken as subordinates, I don’t only order them to handle ordinary work. Later on, I’ll hand over this matter to the cooperation of the Gold-Devouring Mouse Race and the Iron-Ox Race. They should be able to study this as soon as possible.”
Gu Zuo’s heartstrings loosened: “If they can find any uses, that would be great.” Soon after, he looked at that mountain of Earth Worms, and couldn’t help grumbling, “That Manager Lou Wei’s information was a little inaccurate. He said that the Earth Worms were only a little more than a foot long, but from what I saw in the leyline, the ones that were a foot long were immature Earth Worms. The adults could reach fifty meters in length — Forget calling them worms. Those things were basically gigantic pythons!”
Tianheng had a smile on his face as he said: “If the creatures really were no more than a foot long, we would’ve obtained far fewer Earth Worm corpses. How could there be enough for research? Besides, the Earth Worms might’ve seemed ferocious, but dealing with them wasn’t particularly difficult.”
Gu Zuo nodded his head: “That’s actually true.”
Okay. Gu Zuo also knew that this wasn’t anything to complain about. After all, the last time the leyline opened was ten thousand years ago. The information they currently possessed wasn’t enough. This was normal.
In any case, they knew that there would be Earth Worms, so they were able guard against the creatures. As for the problem of the Earth Worms’ sizes… It really wasn’t a serious problem.
Although Gu Zuo took a fancy to these Earth Worms as materials for refining weapons, he also wanted to see if they had any value in refining medicine. Therefore, after pondering for a short while, he took three to five Earth Worm corpses corresponding to each stage of life, and put them away.
Then, he spoke to Tianheng: “Big brother, can you deal with these corpses?”
It wasn’t a good idea to leave this pile of Earth Worm corpses here the entire time.
Tianheng faintly smiled. Shortly thereafter, he gestured towards a secret place.
The member of the Shadow-Morphing Black Cat Race who was hidden there swiftly flashed out. With the fastest speeds, the cat went down the mountain to relay orders.
Not long after, a member of the Iron Ox Race was summoned over — This fellow was hardly permitted to enter this area, so he didn’t dare to size up his surroundings too much. He quickly collected those Earth Worm corpses into a communal inter-spatial tool of his race. Then, he brought everything back to his race’s own base of operations to conduct research.
The member of the Shadow Cat Race swiftly vanished. The mountain of Earth Worm corpses was also nowhere to be seen.
The summit once again returned to a peaceful and quiet state.
Tianheng said: “Ah Zuo, now that this matter has been settled, I intend to go and pay respects to our master, and tell him about Mu Baizhi.”
Gu Zuo nodded. Soon after, he thought of something: “Big brother, should we pick some wondrous medicines that the palace master can use from the stone ova, and give them as a present?”
When going out on a journey, one should bring back souvenirs, right?
Tianheng faintly nodded his head: “If it’s for master, we can pick some.”
Gu Zuo conscientiously pondered. After that, his face twitched.
He was conflicted and hesitant…
A good while later, Gu Zuo haltingly said: “If we’re giving something to master, we naturally have to give the most precious things. It’s just that, when it comes to those most precious wondrous medicines, there’s only one of each type&#k2026;”
In fact, one couldn’t say that those thirty-six stone ova from the strange phenomena were all of the best wondrous medicines. Among the one hundred twenty-nine types obtained before, there were also seven or eight kinds that were very valuable. However, this was the way of the world &#k2014; The more precious something was, the rarer it would be. As a result, even though this handful weren’t produced through the strange phenomena, there was similarly only one of each kind.
Contrary to expectations, it wasn’t that Gu Zuo was unwilling to part with them. Instead, because there was only one of each kind, he wouldn’t have been able to study them after they were delivered to the Blood Transformation Palace Master. As a pharmacist, it was truly difficult to let go of medicinal ingredients that hadn’t been studied.
Tianheng saw Gu Zuo acting this way, and couldn’t help laughing: “Ah Zuo is overthinking it.”
Gu Zuo didn’t understand.
Tianheng smiled and said: “Ah Zuo, why don’t you tell this elder brother — What level of pill prescriptions do these wondrous medicines mostly require?”
Gu Zuo replied without the slightest hesitation: “It’s mostly pill prescriptions at the profound level or higher. Within the earth-level and heaven-level prescriptions, some wondrous medicines that have reached a certain age and rarity are also needed.”
Indeed. His item books only covered pill prescriptions at the profound-level and below. However, when his canonical text introduced wondrous medicines, it mentioned that they were incorporated into pill prescriptions of certain types and levels. Merely, he didn’t have the corresponding item book that gave the specifics of those pill prescriptions.
Tianheng nodded his head: “Master is a Royal Realm powerhouse. The medicinal pills he needs are profound-level pills.”
Gu Zuo widened his eyes.
Ah, right! The answer was right under his nose…
He had only been thinking that what he needed to give their master was the best. He didn’t consider that the best ones were those that he currently had no way of studying, and that the palace master also had no need of them! Holding onto these wondrous medicines meant either storing them or waiting until his realm was higher to utilize them!
At this moment, Gu Zuo wasn’t conflicted anymore.
He rapidly scanned through the profound-level prescriptions in his mind, and found many wondrous medicines that were required in useful prescriptions. Then, he cross-referenced those wondrous medicines with the ones he obtained.
Soon after, from those partitioned stone ova, he chose twenty types of wondrous medicine that were useful and relatively precious. There was one stone ovum for each type. Additionally, these wondrous medicines had duplicates, which fit Gu Zuo’s preferences.
After making his selection, Gu Zuo tilted his head and thought about something. He hurriedly flipped through twenty jade boxes and chests of various sizes. These stone ova were of different sizes, and each one required careful handling. This looked like… En, it looked like giving presents!
Once his preparations were done, Gu Zuo handed these jade containers to Tianheng. After that, he paused: “Right, big brother. I remembered that your senior sect brothers and sisters previously gave you welcoming presents. Now that we have lots of wondrous medicines, do you want to give one to each person? Won’t that boost the relationships between fellow apprentices?”
Tianheng slightly pondered. After that, he faintly shook his head: “There’s no need. If I randomly give things away, I’m afraid that everyone will know that you and I have many wondrous medicines. Later on, Ah Zuo had better research these things carefully, and refine them into some useful medicinal pills. At that time, it would be more appropriate to deliver them as a set.”
Gu Zuo felt that this was reasonable, and just nodded his head: “In that case, I’ll research them properly.”
After they finished talking, Tianheng waved his hand over those jade containers, and received them into the bangle. Soon after, he ruffled Gu Zuo’s hair, and turned around to jump onto the back of a wild bird. He travelled directly to the Blood Transformation Palace Hall.
Gu Zuo followed Tianheng’s fleeting form with his eyes for a short while. Then, he resolutely turned around, and headed straight into the medicine refining room.
Research! Research!
When Gongyi Tianheng arrived at the Blood Transformation Palace Hall, the palace master stood with his hands clasped behind his back. The expression in his eyes was as kindly and amiable as before. He noticed that Tianheng’s strength had another breakthrough, and there was joy on his face: “Sure enough, my apprentice’s aptitudes are out of the ordinary.”
It wasn’t a big deal to make a minor realm breakthrough at the Immortal Realm. The important thing was that one’s realm was stable after breaking through. When one’s accumulations were more robust and qi emissions more powerful, then that was worthy of praise.
Tianheng observed the proper courtesies and expressed his thanks with a smile. Then, he said: “Previously, this disciple left the sect to go adventuring. I had a fortuitous encounter, and obtained many good things. Just when I didn’t know what to do with them, Ah Zuo made a suggestion that I show my appreciation to our master.”
The Blood Transformation Palace Master suddenly blanked. Soon after, he laughed and said: “Oh? This apprentice has come to express his filial piety again?”
Tianheng laughed and replied: “Although the things this time aren’t as good as last time, they do have some usefulness. I hope that master doesn’t disdain such gifts.”
The Blood Transformation Palace Master heard his apprentice talking this way, and felt amused.
Naturally, he always treated Tianheng amiably, but his also knew that his own cultivation methods were treacherous. In his presence, his other disciples were deferential. Rarely would they act so jokingly and close… For it to be like this between a teacher and student, his heart warmed. Thus, he spoke accordingly: “This apprentice only needs to take them out. This teacher certainly won’t shun them.”
Tianheng took two steps back.
The Blood Transformation Palace Master watched on with eyes full of interest.
Tianheng extended a hand, and waved it.
In a split second, a big table appeared before the palace master.
The Blood Transformation Palace Master made a questioning expression.
Tianheng’s thoughts moved again. Upon that big table, from left to right, from small to large, from jade boxes to jade chests, appeared a row of jade-manufactured vessels.
The Blood Transformation Palace Master: “…”
After a moment of silence, he spoke: “These…are all for this teacher?”
Tianheng faintly smiled: “Precisely so. Master, why don’t you take a look at each one?”
The palace master didn’t actually expect to receive so many presents this time around. But when all was said and done, he had witnessed many great winds and waves, and his frame of mind wouldn’t be disturbed just because of the number of his apprentice’s presents. As a result, he tranquilly walked in front of the first jade box, reached out a hand to rest it on his palm, and opened it.
“The color presents an ashen-white hue, and the interior wafts with a subtle fragrance…”
The Blood Transformation Palace Master’s expression was also somewhat subtle: “This is a stone ovum produced by a leyline. Contained within it is wondrous medicine?”
Tianheng had a smile on his face as he nodded: “That’s right.”
The palace master swept his eyes over that row of jade vessels: “And these are all stone ova and wondrous medicines?”
Tianheng was still smiling: “Correct. I hope that master doesn’t disdain them.”
The Blood Transformation Palace Master lightly flicked his finger. The lids of the other nineteen jade vessels opened one after another. And what emerged from inside them were stone ova of various sizes. Every stone ovum had a subtle fragrance. Undoubtedly, they were all wondrous medicines that hadn’t perished.
Although the palace master had experienced many extraordinary things, the huge move by this personally-imparted, little apprentice really gave him quite a shock.
Indeed. These wondrous medicines couldn’t compare to the spiritual source’s valuation, but they weren’t necessarily any less useful to the palace master.
What’s more, there wasn’t just one stone ovum. Rather, there were twenty! The prices that these things could be auctioned for didn’t need to be mentioned. One simply had to talk about the amount — Even if it was the Blood Transformation Palace Master himself, he had never seen this many wondrous medicines in one place before!
Because the requirements for a stone ovum’s production were very demanding, these things were extremely rare outside of leylines. Furthermore, leylines were opened only once every ten thousand years, and many stone ova would flow out. During these ten-thousand-year gaps, the stone ova would definitely be used up… At the palace master’s age, he only had a total of two stone ova in his stock.
All of a sudden, Tianheng had increased his stock by ten fold!
The Blood Transformation Palace Master’s mood was very strange.
This was only the second time his apprentice had gone adventuring.
Should he have ruefully sighed at this apprentice’s fortuitous encounters or be ashamed that he, as the master, was actually…always obtaining benefits from this apprentice’s hands?
The Blood Transformation Palace Master sighed: “Never mind. This teacher needs to make many preparations to break through to the Cosmic Realm, so I shall reluctantly accept them. Later on, this teacher shall give another race —”
Before he could finish speaking, his words were tactfully interrupted by his apprentice.
Tianheng smiled and said: “If master gifts a race every time this disciple presents a token of filial piety, wouldn’t master’s fields be picked bare some day? There’s no need to do this.”
The palace master helplessly said: “If it’s an ordinary gift, it wouldn’t matter much. Every time this apprentice goes to such lengths, while it leaves me feeling overjoyed, it also makes me feel like I’m taking advantage of you. It really leaves my heart uneasy.”
Tianheng shook his head: “A disciple ought to pay his respects to his teacher. This is a matter of course. If a disciple doesn’t do this, then naturally there is no filial respect. But for this trip, this disciple obtained far more than just this amount. If master runs out, just ask this disciple for more. Master doesn’t have to worry about it.”
There was nothing the palace master could do. He could only say: “I won’t need any more.”
Tianheng said: “All according to master’s will.”
Soon after, he changed the topic of the discussion: “Offering a token of filial appreciation was just in passing. This disciple actually came here to report an important matter to master.”
When the Blood Transformation Palace Master saw Tianheng acting this prudently, he also brushed aside those complicated moods from before. He inquired: “What matter has this apprentice come to report?”
Tianheng said: “This matter concerns a prodigy from my Ten Ultimates Sect’s subsidiary forces…”
Following this, Tianheng gave a general recounting of everything he experienced during this trip to the leyline. Most of all, after seeing that Hua Lanruo and hearing what she knew about, he voiced his speculations and suspicions in exacting detail.
At first, the palace master was only rather interested in listening to the tale of his apprentice’s adventure. But when he heard about Mu Baizhi’s deeds, a trace of fury gradually appeared on his handsome visage. And after Tianheng finished telling the whole story, his eyes flickered with bloody lights. His head of long hair, which hung down to his waist, billowed in the nonexistent wind.
Tianheng finally said: “…Although this disciple has many conjectures, they haven’t been ascertained yet. Also, this disciple’s current manpower is insufficient, and I’m afraid of alerting the snake by beating the grass. Therefore, I’ve come to ask for guidance. I hope that master is able to investigate this matter.”
The qi emissions across the palace master’s body roiled a few times before suddenly becoming placid and serene. He waved his robe sleeve, and the big table in front of him as well as the numerous jade vessels were put away.
After that, he paced back and forth for several steps.
He furiously shouted: “Jade Flame Valley! How bold!”
There were many physiques in this world, and it wasn’t like there weren’t any physiques that plundered others. However, that only referred to identical physiques that devoured one another to become a complete whole. Within this category, it followed the law of the jungle. In fact, the prodigy who ultimately achieved this would bear the true appearance of that physique.
As for Mu Baizhi, there were no taboos that she wouldn’t commit. It seemed that she was capable of seizing the innate talent of any physique, and disguised herself to do so. In addition, that physique of hers needed to constantly devour others to make up for any defects and to continuously advance — This was to say, if Jade Flame Valley wanted to “achieve” one Mu Baizhi, numerous prodigies had to be sacrificed before they could succeed!
This wasn’t a competition between similar physiques… That Cuckoo Body was simply crossing the line!
Which family would want their nurtured prodigy to be turned into nutrients?
What’s more, it would’ve been fine if any prodigies were outright defeated by Mu Baizhi. However, she wanted to use her charms for seduction and entrapment. She transformed prodigies into nobodies just for their aptitudes. In this way, she wouldn’t only make up for any deficiencies in her own body, she would also exploit the forces of the other family she married into. Perhaps, she would even turn the many genius younger generations in that family into her personal tonics.
Her greed was contemptible and her actions were despicable…
If this kind of woman was allowed to maintain her disguise the entire way, she would ultimately reach the Cosmic and Lesser Emperor Realms. At that time, if she wanted to take the next step, wouldn’t she have to make use of the continent’s powerhouses?
How could she, one mere person, be the least bit worthy?!
Tianheng stood quietly on the side.
After the Blood Transformation Palace Master was enraged, Tianheng sensed a terrifying power permeating the entire building. If it hadn’t been for the fact that he wasn’t the target of the palace master’s ire, he wouldn’t have been able to resist with his current realm.
But despite this, he also appeared to see unending bloody lights that transformed into a torrential ocean of blood. There were countless vicious bodies that emerged from the ocean of blood, thrashing among the raging waves!
— The Blood Transformation Palace Hall’s ultimate knowledge. It was only due to an imposing aura, but it practically caused one to suffer an illusion. Truly horrifying!
A good while later, the palace master calmed down.
One couldn’t focus on how he always treated Tianheng kindly. He himself wasn’t a kind or benevolent person. Most of all, he possessed the complete works of the Blood Transformation Ultimate Knowledge. When he led campaigns on behalf of Ten Ultimates Sect, the mere mention of his impressive military achievements was enough to silence a child’s nightly tantrums!
At this time, Tianheng spoke soothingly: “Master, there’s no need to get angry. When all is said and done, this is an internal matter of Jade Flame Valley. Although Mu Baizhi has many evil intentions, she has yet to harm but a few people. Later on, we only need to investigate this affair. No matter whether it’s a coincidence or something more… With the proper preparations, is there anyone Ten Ultimates Sect is afraid of?”
The Blood Transformation Palace Master’s tone finally eased up: “What this apprentice says is true.” Then, he said, “This apprentice can rest assured. I will certainly send someone to investigate this matter. I will also get in touch with the other nine palace masters. Later on, this apprentice must raise his vigilance. A woman like that Mu Baizhi is not worthy of being a wife.”
Tianheng couldn’t help laughing: “This disciple has bright eyes and a clear heart. How could I look fondly upon someone like that… Master doesn’t have to worry. This disciple wouldn’t dare make any presumptions, but I’m quite confident in my own power of self-control.”
The palace master also laughed, his mood was much more comfortable: “You must also be careful. Don’t allow yourself to be plotted against.”
Tianheng nodded his head: “Ah Zuo has an excellent understanding of pharmacology. With him by this disciple’s side, it would be impossible for such hidden schemes to approach me.”
The palace master spoke with satisfaction: “Ah Zuo is certainly an exceptionally good talent. He’s also very filial. With him and this apprentice helping one another, I feel relieved.”
Everything that this pair of master and apprentice needed to say was said. The two of them were the kind of people who handled matters decisively, and didn’t waste time over this matter. Immediately following which, Tianheng mentioned the difficulties he had with some martial disciplines, and the Blood Transformation Palace Master attentively provided guidance. After that, Tianheng bade farewell to the palace master, and returned to his own manor.
Three days later.
At this time, Gu Zuo was in the medicine refining room. He had basically finished his research on the Earth Worms — Perhaps it was because these things were practically life companions to wondrous medicines. While the medicinal effects of wondrous medicines were incredibly powerful, the Earth Worms couldn’t be used in medicine at all.
With no other option, he could only throw the Earth Worm corpses he studied to the Iron Ox Race, and give them some more experimental goods to further their own research.
At this time, Tianheng called Gu Zuo to come out, and handed him a card.
As it turned out, Shen Yuanbai had sent someone to deliver a visitation notice.
Gu Zuo swiftly finished reading it, and lifted his head to say: “Sure enough, it looks like Brother Shen wasn’t able to find the type of wondrous medicine that’s related to psychic powers.”
Tianheng asked: “What does Ah Zuo plan to do?”
Gu Zuo just smiled: “My luck has been very good. Among those remaining five hundred-something stone ova, I found a few.”
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